Quote:
Originally Posted by MountainView
I always love seeing more microbreweries opening up in Ottawa...am going to give Mill Street a try in the upcoming weeks. I am a NON-smoker, but I don't agree with the new smoking bylaw not allowing patios to allow smoking. I have friends who smoke and they are usually very respectful not to blow their smoke at the non-smokers, I find this the case with a lot of people who use the patios. They should have been able to separate the patio as a trial option (non smoking vs smoking). All smokers are going to do now is stand outside the main entrance and smoke, or stand on the sidewalk (beside most patios on Elgin for example) and smoke. What is the real difference between people smoking at the entrance or sidewalk and people smoking on the patio? Anyways, slightly off topic but I think it's something the City rushed to pass.
Nevertheless... exciting to see more stuff being added to Sparks Street!
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I have to agree with MountainView on this. Plus, the bylaw should of had some clause which would give business owners the option to allow smoking after a certain hour, like after the kitchen closes at 11pm, by which point most people going on the patio are those who wish to drink and smoke. Mill street will have 3 patios, and could have made one for smokers. Now smokers will leave their beers on the table and go smoke on the other side of the fence, creating congestion at the entrance, pissing off people coming and going through the entrance, and stinking up the entrance. This bylaw is very premature. City parks and beaches sure, but private businesses? A step too far I think.
As for Mill Street, is it not on NCC land? If it is, then the smoking bylaw might not apply there. Also, it will be bylaw officers enforcing these, same guys who give parking tickets. If you are getting a parking ticket and drive away, they will mail it to you as they got your licence plate. If they want to ticket you for smoking in a patio, and you just walk away without producing ID, then what?
What if you are smoking wakkytobbaky on a city beach? Will that get you a ticket? Its not a cigarette.
What about Scotia Bank Place? All smokers will now have to go street level?
I wonder if the city has analyzed all these and many other scenarios. By-law officers will have their work cut out for them, BIG time! LOL A shitty job, is getting even shittier!
As for the cig smokers, I can already foresee many will be flocking to the QC side for their summer patio beer drinking, or will just stay at home. The City of Ottawa sure knows how to help small businesses.